Automobile window wiper



April 9, 1940. ZA IGER 2,196,542

AUTOMOBILE WINDOW WIPER Filed April 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 50 I fimml (ids April 9, 1940. M. ZAIGER AUTOMOBILE WINDOW WIPER Filed April 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 9,

UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE v i 2,196,542: AUTOMOBILE. WINDOW WIPEB Mag zaiger, Swampscoth Mass. I I

Application April 12, 1938,'Serial No. 201,538

'10 Claims. (Cl. 15-255 This invention relates to wipers for cleaning the windows of motor or other vehicles; and pertains more particularly to devices of the general character of windshield wipers, adaptedjfor application to the edge of a movable window, such as the ventilating panes of automobiles.

The principal purpose of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and eflicient cleaning device, utilizing a blade of the type used in the ordinary windshield wiper, for wiping rain, moisture or snow from the outside, andpreferably also the inside, of a ventilatingwindow or pane which is adaptedto be opened so that both sides are exposed to the elements. As is well known, such panes are customarily hinged to swing on avertical axis in front of the'vertically movable windows of the car door, so that, whether closed or open, they occupy a positionyin the line of vision of the driver and passenger in the which are not directly in front of the vehicle.

It is extremely important, from considerations of safety and convenience, that this angular line of vision through the ventilating panes or wind desnow; yet, so far as I am aware, no mechanical cleaning device for ensuring a clear view through such panes in inclement weather had been provided before my invention was developed.

Further and more specific objects. of'this invention reside in the novel structural features of the devices hereinafter described, which afford easy assembly of its several parts; ready application to and removal from the margin of the pane, and secure attachment thereto so that the pane may be freely opened or closed; adequate operative movement of the wiper blade under manual actuation, within a limited arcof swing which confines this movement to a correct area and preventsthe blade from interfering with the latches or catches for holding the pane closed; efficient operation of the wiper blades which are tensioned against the pane and-are held against chattering at the pivotal connections to the wiper arm; and easy attachment of the blade to the arm by means of an improved form of separable connection. I Recommended embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which: e

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary-side view of the front compartment of? a vehicle having a typical form of ventilating pane equipped with the improved wip 1 front seat, with respect to traffic or obstructions flectors be clear and unobstructed by rain or Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the pane and wiping device, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the pane and wiper of Fig. 1; 1 I l e ,7

Fig.4 is an end view looking to the left of Fig. 3 with portions of the movable parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 5- 5 of, Fig. 2;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and l-,-'l, respectively of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail section online 88 of Fig. 4;

Fig.9 is a bottom view of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modifi ed form of attachment adapted for a plain edged pane;

Fig.'11 is a section on'line ll-H ofFig. 10;" f Fig. 12 is a detail view of a spring member forming part of the device;"

Fig. 13 is a section on'line l3l3 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 14 is a detail transverse section taken through one of the wiper blade and clip attach ments shown in Fig. 2; and i Fig. 15 is a detailside viewv of a connector shown in Figs. 2 and 14.

purpose of illustration (except for the modifications shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the improved wiping device is applied to a ventilating pane 2| provided with a molding or reinforcement 22 along its bottom, frontand upper margins. It 1 will be understood that this pane is pivoted on'a, vertical axis in front of the main win'clow 23, so that its plain or uncovered rear edge may swing outwardly of the door. 24 and thus serve as aends of the wiper arms and bearing against opposite sides of the pane 2!, so that they may be swung across the surfaces'of the glass by grasp.- ing one of the wiper arms (e. g. the arm on the inside of the pane) with theha'nd.

-The clamp 25 has aflat base portion 3| which bears against the outer edge of the molding 22,

side portions 32 extending. upwardly parallel to 'In the particular embodimentchosen for the preferably by a detachablejoint, to the forward wire Spring 31.

from its base and engaging thecorner of the pane to limit inward movement of the clamp on the molding 22. Its sides 32 are provided withinwardly struck tabs 34 which engage over the inner edges of the molding, so that the clamp may be slid endwise onto the molding and will be removably held in position by the tabs 34 and the The base portion of the clamp is formed with a slot 35 which receives the loop 36 of a stout side arms engage in grooves 38 extendinglongie tudinally of the elbows 21 between parallel ribs 39 formed thereon.

The free ends 40 of the spring are bent inwardly and pass through holes in the elbows 2'! and. into arcuate slots 41 cut in the respective sides 32 at the upper portion thereof. These slots constitute guides for the swing movement of the spring 37 and limit the arc of swing of the wiper arms as well as the spring,as willbe apparent.

Thus, the wire spring serves as the sole connection between the clamp and the wiper arms; it operates as a lever whereby both arms are moved simultaneously when one is manipulated by the hand of the driver or occupant of the automobile;

and it yieldingly holds the elbows 21 in place and presses the wiper blades against the surfaces of the glass. It will be evident that the wiper arms are readily attached to or disconnected from the clamp member by springing the wire 31 into or out of engagement with the elbow grooves 38 and 2'5 and also to a forward clip 42 by rivets 43 and- M, respectively, in the form shown; but it will be understood that two or more of these elements may be made in one piece if desired. The clips 42 are U-s'haped. in form and are adapted to straddle the metal blade holders 45 which embrace the rubber wiper blades 29, as is customary practice. As best shown in Figs; 3, 14 and 15, the clips 52 are of improved form in that their sides are provided with complemental slots 47 which enter at the bottom edge of said sides, extend parallel thereto and terminate in notches 48 near the outer ends of the clip. The slots of each clip receive the protruding ends of a double headed rivet or pin 49 which passes through the blade holder 45 near the center thereof; and the rivet is held in the notches 48 when it is snapped into locking engagement therewith, by the action of the resilient fingers 50 which yield to allow the pin to enter the slots 41 and retaining notch 48.

The improved connection between the wiper arm and the blade holder ensures a secure but readily separable attachment, and allows the blade to pivot on the rivet 49 while restraining other relative movement between the-parts, inas much as the clip is rigidly fastened to the arm 25 and as its sides closely hug the metal blade holder 45 innormal operation. The restraint of The spring is U-shaped,'and its 2,196,542 the glass pane, and an end piece 33 bent upwardly free movement or chattering of the blade is particularly important in a device, such as that herein disclosed, which is intended for manual operation adapted to swing the blade upwardly from a horizontal to a vertical position, as indicated in Fig. 3; and the attainment of this objective is further aided by guiding the free inner end of the blade, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. In those views, the outer portion of each elbowmember 21 has a U-shaped form and its depending sides straddle the rearward end .of the wiper blade, thus holding the blade substantially parallel to the wiper arm 26, during swinging mcvement across. the glass. I

In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the wiper is adapted for application to a plain edged pane, having no molding or beading on' its edges. In this form, the sides of the U-shapedclamp 52 are spaced closer together to embrace the surfaces of the pane, cushion strips 53 being placed between the clamp sides and the pane surfaces if desired; and fastenings such as the blots 54, passing through thevglass, are provided 'toysecur'e 'the clamp in position. Otherwise, the wiping devices are the same as heretofore described, It will be understood, however, that theend piece 55 of Fig. 10 may be omitted so that the clamp 52 maybe attached to the margin of the pane at any desired position.

In both'fdrms, it will, be observed that the length'and direction of the slot 4| which limits the swing of the wiper arm, as aforesaid, supports thearhi parallel to but spaced a substantial distance from the adjacent edge of the pane,

in the lowermost position or the arm. This allows adequate space for the closing of the pane and for the operation of catches or locks for securing the pane in closed position, without interference with the wiping apparatus.

It will, also be observed (as best shown in Fig. 13) that the elbow members 21 have a relatively broadbase orbearin'g on the surface of the clamp side's SLagainst which the elbows are pressed by action Ofjspring 37. When that portion of the elbow is bent, asshown, to provide the outer ribs 39 and intermediate groove 38, the elbow has three bearings against the clamp, which prevent tilting ortwi'sting of the elbow and thushold the wiper arm 26' and blade 29 in correct alignment. It'will be evident, however, that the base of the elbow may be made fiat 'or may have two or more bearing surfaces against the clamp; and it will be understood that my use of the term broad base contemplates such obvious modifications in the shape of the elbow.

The general purpose and mode of operation of the wiping apparatus herein disclosed will be obvious from the foregoing and from the general use of the present forms of windshield wipers for automobiles. In adapting the'old types of wipers for cleaning the ventilating panes with which motor vehicles are now commonly equipped, I have satisfied'a long existing need and have provided a wiper containing severalnovel and improved features 'whichwill be pointedout in the appended claims. It'will be understoodthat' the structural details herein illustrated and described may be varied to suit particular installation without departing 'from'the essence of this invention as definedinr-the claims; and it will be apparent, in particular, that I do not necessarily limit my" invention to thetprovision's of two wiper blades. One blad'e onthe' outside of thecpanemay suffice in many cases; and :a handle or arm similar in arrangement to the inside wiper arm for holding the clamp on said margin,,a wiper arm extending over a surface of the paneandcarrying a wiper blade bearing onfsaid surface, an operating. arm. on the Opposite side of the pane, the clamp comprising base and side po1?- ,tions, the bottom portion bearing against the edge of the pane and having a transverse slot the operating arm.

having inwardly strucktabs frictionally engaging herein shown will serve as a means of operating the outside blade. A I claim: a e I '1. Wiping apparatus for cleaning a pane of v the character described, comprising a clamp member applied to the margin of the pane, means shaped wire spring straddling the clamp'and' having a loop portion pivotally engaged in said I base slot and inwardly bent end portions en gaging in said arcuate slots, respectively, to guide and limit pivotal movement of the spring, the side portions of the spring engaging portions of the wiper arm and operating arm, respectively, so that the wiper blade is urged toward the pane surface and is swung angularly thereon by moving 2. Wiping apparatus for cleaning a pane of member adapted to be applied to the margin of the pane, means for holding the clamp on said margin, a wiper arm extending over a surface of the pane and carrying a wiper blade bearing on said surface, an operating arm on the opposite side of the pane, and resilient means for removably connecting the wiper arm to the operating arm and for pivotally connecting both arms to the clamp, so that the wiper blade is yieldingly held against said pane surface and is swung angularly across said surface by moving the operating arm, the clamp having an end piece abutting a corner of the pane whereby the clamp 'is held at said corner by frictional engagement with the margin of the pane, and is prevented from sliding inwardly alongsaid margin by said abutment. Y f

3. Wiping apparatus for panes having an edge molding of the character described, comprising .a clamp member having base and side portions and adapted to be slid endwise onto'the molding from a corner of the pane 'so that its base bears against the edge of the molding and its sides overlie the sides of the molding, the sidesof the clamp being substantially fiat and said sides having inwardly struck tabs frictionally engaging,

the molding and tending removably-to hold the clamp in position, the clamp also having an end piece bent upwardly from its base and engaging the corner of the pane to limit inward movement of the clamp on the molding, a wiper arm having a blade bearing against one surface of the pane and an end portion bearingagainst one flat side of the clamp, an operating arm disposed on they opposite side of the pane, and means pivotally connecting the wiper arm and operating arm to the clamp, so that the wiper blade is swung themolding and tending removably to hold the clamp in position, the clamp also having an end piece bent upwardly from its base and engaging the corner of the pane to limit inward movement of,the clampon the molding, a wiper arm having a blade bearing against one surface of the pane ,and an end portion bearing against one flat side ,or the clamp, an operating arm disposed on the oppositefside ofthepane, and means connecting the wiper arm and operating arm to the clamp to swingj the wiper blade angularly over the pane surface, by moving the operating arm, theclamp sides and the connecting means having interengaging portions remote' from the base of the clamp for of ,said arms. 7

guiding and limiting movement 5. In wiper apparatus of the class described, a wiper arm having an elbow at one end and a clip at its other end, a blade connected to said clip, and supported in line with the arm, the

elbow being formed of sheet metal bent to provide depending side portions extending parallel to the arm and straddling the blade, thereby to restrain angular movement of the blade with respect to the arm, said sheet metal elbow also bein bent to rovide 'a channel, an m ns the character described, comprlslng a clamp g p d ea engaging the channel of the elbow for swinging the arm angularly over the, surface of a pane.

6. In wiper apparatus of the class described, a clamp for connecting a wiper arm and its blade to the margin of a window,- the clamp consisting of, a substantially U-shaped member having side and base portions and adapted to embrace the margin of the window, the base having means pivotally engageable by a spring member adapted to operate the wiper arm, and the sides having slots engageable by said spring member for guiding and limiting the movement thereof.

7. In wiper apparatus of the class described, a pair of wiper arms, disposed respectively on opposite sides of a pane, wiper blades connected I to therespective arms at one end thereof and bearing upon opposite surfaces of the pane, elbow members at the opposite ends of the respective arms, each elbow having a groove in its outer surface and a hole at one end of said groove, a U'-shaped spring straddling the edge of the pane and engaging in the respective elbow grooves, the ends of the spring being bent inwardly into said holes, thereby to interconnect the two wiper arms and press their blades against the pane surfaces, and'me'a'ns for holding the loop of the spring against the edge of 'the pane so that manual movement :of one arm will-cause both arms to swing concomitantly.

8. Inwiper-apparatus' of the class described, a clamp adapted to embrace the margin of a window and having substantially parallel sides, a wiper arm having an, end portion disposed on the outer surface of one of said sides, said end portion having a relatively broad base bearing against said surface and tending to prevent twisting of the wiper arm, and means for holding surface-and a hole at one end of said groove,

a U-shaped springstraddling the-edge of the pane and engaging in the respective elbow grooves, the ends of the spring being bent inwardiy into said holes, thereby to interconnect the two wiper arms and press their blades against the pane surfaces, a clamp member having base and. side portions disposed between the pane and the spring, the base of the clamp having a transverse slot receiving 'the loop of the spring and constituting a fulcrum therefonand the sides of the clamp having arcuate slots receiving said of a window, the clamp having a portion embracing the Window margin and an inwardly extending side constituting a guide for the wiper arm, means for removably securing the clamp on said margin, a wiper arm having a relatively broad end portion bearing against the outer surface 7 of said clamp side and slidable thereon, thereby to restrain twisting of the arm during angular movement thereof, and means for holding the wiper end against said side and for moving it angularly over said surface, said means comp-rising a U-shaped member straddling the clamp and having an operating portion extending over the outer side of the clamp, the clamp side and wiper arm end having mutually co-operative means for limiting angular movement of' the wiper arm. 7

MAX ZAIGER. 

